Method for the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal distress in horses and other species

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of a method and supplement for preventing and/or treating gastrointestinal distress, including ulcer conditions, in animals are disclosed. The supplement comprises mastic gum and lecithin. The supplement may also comprise B vitamins, one or more prebiotics or probiotics, and one or more minerals as well as, pH buffers and flavoring. A disclosed method of preventing and/or treating gastrointestinal distress comprises orally dosing an animal with the supplement at least one daily.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The instant application is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 15/161,689filed May 23, 2016.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein are related to a nutritional supplement forthe treatment and/or prevention of gastrointestinal distress in horsesand other species of animals.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The horse is a roaming animal with a gastro intestinal digestive systemdesigned for and accustomed to grazing up to 17 hours a day. Thus, thehorse's digestive system is specifically designed for the intake ofsmall quantities of feed over long periods of time. Horses and certainother animals did not evolve to develop the mechanism which turnsstomach acid on and off, like humans. Therefore, a horse's stomachtypically produces stomach acid 24 hours a day even when there is nofood present and such production can be up to 9 gallons of acidic fluidper day.

Stalled horses, with minimal access to pasture for grazing, are normallyfed 2-3 times per day which leads to the buildup of excess stomach acid,as the stomach is subjected to prolonged periods of time without feedpresent to neutralize the acid. As such, gastric ulcers are quite commonin domesticated/stalled horses and foals; their prevalence has beenestimated at from about 50% to about 90%, depending upon the populationsurveyed and type and level of athletic activity in which the horses areengaged.

Foals are often subject to stomach ulcers causing morbidity andmortality. Clinical signs of ulcers in foals include intermittent colic(after suckling or eating), frequent recumbency (this is common in foalssince this position seems to provide some relief from severe gastriculceration), intermittent nursing, diarrhea, poor appetite, grinding ofteeth and excessive salivation.

Adult horses with stomach ulcers may exhibit one or more clinical signsof ulcers including: poor appetite, attitude changes, decreasedperformance, reluctance to train or work, excessive recumbency, poorbody condition, rough hair coat, weight loss, low grade colic and/orloose feces. More serious cases will show abdominal pain (colic) and/orgrinding of the teeth. Others may walk away from food for a period oftime as if the horse experiences discomfort when the food first contactsthe stomach. Due to the range of common clinical signs of ulcers (andthe fact that some horses with ulcers show no outward signs), the onlyclinically proven way to diagnose and verify stomach ulcers in horses isthrough gastric endoscopy or gastroscopy. Unfortunately, this involvesplacing an endoscope into the horse's stomach to examine its innersurface. This is unpleasant for the horse and sometimes a complexprocedure for the veterinarian as it invariably requires anesthesia. Inaddition, this process can be very costly for the horse owner and alarge number of veterinarians do not have access to an endoscope; due tothe high cost basis for this type of equipment.

Unfortunately, currently available solutions for the prevention ortreatment of ulcers or other gastrointestinal distress require alicensed caregiver to prescribe an oral administration of expensivetreatments with a dosing syringe. In addition to being costly, manyhorses or other animals fight this type of treatment, which makesadministration difficult.

What is needed is a method and supplement for prevention and/ortreatment of gastrointestinal distress, including ulcer conditions inhorses and other animal species. It would be further advantageous if themethod and supplement employed generally available materials, which weresafe and effective. It would be further advantageous if the supplementcould be provided in a variety of forms and could be readily formulatedwith existing equipment. Advantageously, the present inventionaccomplishes one or more up to all of the aforementioned needs.

In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a nutritionalsupplement for the prevention or treatment of gastrointestinal distressin animals comprising mastic gum and lecithin. The supplement mayalternatively be used to support a healthy digestive tract in a broadrange of animals. In another embodiment, the present invention relatesto a method of preventing gastrointestinal distress in an animalcomprising: dosing an animal orally at least once daily with asupplement. The supplement comprises: mastic gum and lecithin in aweight ratio of mastic gum to lecithin of from about 1:10 to about 1:50based on the total weight of mastic gum and lecithin. In anotherembodiment, the invention pertains to a method of preventing or treatingulcer conditions in a horse. The method comprises providing an effectiveamount of a supplement to address and/or treat gastrointestinaldistress. The supplement comprises mastic gum, lecithin, one or more Bvitamins, and one or more biotics selected from prebiotics, probiotics,and combinations thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of the typical equine stomach.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention pertains generally to a nutritional supplement forthe prevention or treatment of gastrointestinal distress in animals. Italso pertains generally to a method of preventing gastrointestinaldistress in an animal and more specifically to a method of preventing ortreating ulcer conditions in a horse using a nutritional supplement asdescribed herein.

As used herein “gastrointestinal distress” generally refers togastrointestinal upset, ulcers, and other digestive conditions ordisorders such as diarrhea that are suffered by non-human animals suchas a horse, dog, sheep, alpaca, llama, camel, cat, donkey, and cow. In apreferred embodiment, the animal is a horse. The supplements and methoddescribed herein may be useful to prevent gastrointestinal distressand/or treat gastrointestinal distress in various animals includingpigs, primates, guinea pigs, ferrets, elephants, marine mammals,rabbits, rats, dolphins, tigers, cheetahs, lions zebras, zoo animals,livestock, and domestic animals. Generally, the amount of supplementand/or dosage is higher when the supplements and/or methods are employedto treat as opposed to prevent distress. In certain instances anddosages, the supplements and/or methods may simultaneously treat andprevent further gastrointestinal distress.

FIG. 1 shows the typical equine digestive tract focusing on the stomach.The equine digestive process can be conceptually divided into thefunctions carried out in the front of the gastrointestinal tract andthose carried out in the back of the GI tract. The functions carried outin the two areas can be very different. In the foregut, after food isgathered up, chewed, and swallowed, the stomach kicks into gear. Themain functions of the stomach are to add gastric acid to help with thebreakdown of food, to secrete the enzyme pepsinogen to begin proteindigestion, and to regulate the passage of food into the small intestine.The stomach can be thought of as a holding and mixing tank, similar to acement truck that is constantly churning and mixing ingredients.

While food breakdown may begin in the stomach, it continues in the smallintestine, where secretions help with the further digestion of protein,simple carbohydrates, and fat. The small intestine is also the main siteof nutrient absorption once the food is in small enough form. Aminoacids, glucose, vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids are taken into thebody as they move along the small intestine, so progress shouldn't betoo fast or too slow.

The processes that occur in the hindgut, and particularly in the cecumand colon, are less about breaking down food into smaller, absorbableparticles with the aid of enzymes and more about fermenting complexcarbohydrates (fiber) into useful end products with the assistance ofbeneficial organisms. In addition to generating fatty acids, whichsupply energy or calories, these helpful microorganisms also produceB-vitamins, Vitamin K, and some amino acids. The colon then serves notonly to absorb these nutrients but also a portion of the water thataccompanies food as it moves along the digestive tract.

Mastic Gum and Lecithin Employed

The nutritional supplement generally comprises a mixture of mastic gumand lecithin. The types and amounts of mastic gum employed may vary.That is, the specific properties and amounts of the mastic gum that maybe employed herein, of course may vary depending upon a number offactors including, for example, the desired results, the animal beingtreated as well as the types and amounts of other ingredients employed.

The mastic gum may be produced synthetically or, alternatively and morepreferably, readily obtained from common natural sources. Mastic gum issometimes known also as Chios Mastiha. Mastic gum is a natural resinthat typically comes from an evergreen small tree or large shrub, whichmay be cultivated successfully in, for example, the Mediterranean suchas the island of Chios, in the Eastern Aegean Sea. This evergreen treecalled Schinos, belongs to the family of Pistachia. (Botanical name:Pistachia Lentiscus var. Chia). Mastic gum useful in the presentinvention is available commercially from sources such as Parchem orother chemical or nutritional supplement suppliers.

Generally, lecithin is a naturally occurring fatty substance orphospholipid, which could potentially be produced synthetically ifdesired. Lecithin may come from many sources, including both plant andanimal tissues. Soybeans are the most common source of lecithin, butother potential sources of lecithin include: eggs, animal tissues, milk,fish eggs, rapeseed, cotton seed and sunflower.

A chemical formula for a lecithin is C₈H₁₇O₅NRR′ wherein R and R′ arethe same or different fatty acid groups. Pure lecithin is generally aphosphatidyl choline. That is, lecithins are mixtures of diglycerides offatty acids linked to the choline ester of phosphoric acid. Thus,lecithins are often classed as phosphoglycerides or phosphatides(phospholipids). Commercially available lecithin is often a mixture ofacetone insoluble phosphatides. For example, LECITHIN FCC, availablefrom, for example, Spectrum Chemical, is a substance that is of a fattynature and occurs naturally in animals and plant tissues. It is abrownish yellow color and contains a range of substances such astriglycerides, glycerol, phosphoric acid and so on. Other potentialsources of lecithin useful in the present invention include, forexample, Cargill.

The specific lecithin and amounts employed in the supplements and methodof treatment/prevention also vary depending upon a number of factors.Such factors include, for example, the desired results, the animal beingtreated as well as the types and amounts of other ingredients employedand the form of the supplement. So long as the lecithin is capable ofbeing mixed with the mastic gum, it may be in any form. Preferably, thelecithin employed may be in a form such as granules, powders, or evenliquid such that it may be substantially homogeneously mixed with themastic gum.

While not wishing to be bound to any particular theory, it is believedthat feeding a lecithin with mastic gum aids in protecting gastrictissue from ulcer injury in, for example, horses and other animals intwo ways. First, one or both ingredients may facilitate forming abarrier between stomach contents and epithelial cells, and second, oneor both ingredients may facilitate cell membrane turnover and woundresealing.

Weight Ratios and Amounts of Mastic Gum and Lecithin Employed

As described previously, the amounts of mastic gum and lecithin employedvary depending upon a number of factors including, for example, thedegree or severity, if any, of gastrointestinal distress, desiredresults, the animal being treated as well as the types and amounts ofother ingredients employed and the form of the supplement. Other factorsmay include, for example, the activity level and/or diet of the animal.

Generally, the weight ratio of mastic gum to lecithin is determined suchthat the weight ratio is effective to prevent and/or treatgastrointestinal distress in an animal by providing the animal withabout one to two or three or even four supplements per day. In suchcases, the weight ratio of mastic gum to lecithin is a range from about1:2500 to about 1:1.25, or from about 1:1000 to about 1:300, or fromabout 1:500 to about 1:100, or from about 1:10 to about 1:50 based onthe total weight of mastic gum and lecithin. In other embodiments, theratio of mastic gum to lecithin is a range from about 1:1 to about1:100, or from about 1:10 to about 1:50, or from about 1:20 to about1:40, or is a range from about 1:15 to about 1:35, or from about 0.5:40to about 1.5:20.

Some embodiments may comprise the step of identifying an animal withulcer conditions for treatment. A preferred embodiment also comprisesthe step of dosing an animal with the supplement for at least thirtydays.

Supplement Form and Process of Making

The nutritionally supplement comprising lecithin, mastic gum and/orother ingredients is typically administered or provided orally to theanimal in any convenient manner. The supplement may be formulated as apowder, paste, granule, liquid, gel, capsule, tablet or pellets. Variousadditives may be added to the supplement in order to achieve the desiredphysical form. In one embodiment, the supplement may be administered orprovided as a top dressing on top of food at one or more regular dailyfeeding times.

The specific process of making the supplement, of course, will varydepending upon the final form desired, the specific ingredients andtheir form, amounts employed, and other factors. Generally, the processtypically involves mixing the desired lecithin and mastic gum at ambientconditions to form a substantially homogenous mixture. If otheringredients are desired in the supplement, then in most cases theingredients may be mixed prior to, simultaneously or even after thelecithin and mastic gum are mixed. In some cases, it may be desirable toadd the desired amounts of lecithin and mastic gum to an alreadycommercially available supplement lacking sufficient amounts of lecithinand mastic gum. Once the desired ingredients are mixed, they may be putin the desired form, e.g., powder, paste, granule, liquid, gel, orpellets using techniques known to those skilled in the art.

Other Ingredients

Other ingredients may be added to the supplement so long as theingredients do not substantially interfere with the desired effects ofthe supplement comprising mastic gum and lecithin. In certainembodiments, the supplement may additionally comprise beneficial amountsof biotics such as probiotics and/or prebiotics, vitamins, minerals,and/or other nutritional supplements.

Probiotics are live “good” microorganisms, such as bacteria and yeast.Probiotics that may be useful in the supplement, particularly for equinesupplements, include Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus acidophilus,Lactobacillus caseii and Lactobacillus plantarum.

Additional potential probiotics may include:

Lactobacillus species including, but not limited to, L. rhamnosus, L.salivarius, L. paracasei, L. gasseri, L. reuteri, L. bulgaricus, L.brevis, L. brevis, L fermentum, and L. reuteri.

Bifidobacterium species including, but not limited to, B. bifidum, B.longum, B. infantis, B. breve, and B. lactis.

Bacillus species including, but not limited to, B. coagulans and B.subtillius.

Streptoccocus species including, but not limited to, S. salivarius, S.thermophilus, S. cremoris, S. faecium and S. infantis.

Other useful species may include, but are not limited to, Saccharomycesboulardii, Aspergillus oryzae, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Aspergillusniger.

The amount of probiotic to include in the supplement varies dependingupon, among other items, the type of probiotic, other ingredients, anddesired results. Typically, an amount of probiotic is measured in colonyforming units (CFU's) per dose. In many cases, from millions to evenbillions of CFUs of probiotic may be included in a given supplement.Typically, the amount of probiotic may be at least 500 million,preferably at least 1 billion, more preferably at least 2 billion,preferably at least 3 billion up to as much as 10 billion CFUs per doseof supplement. Certain embodiment may comprise at least 10 to 15 billionCFUS per dose of supplement.

Disclosed embodiments may comprise at least 500 million, preferably atleast 1 billion, more preferably at least 2 billion, preferably at least3 billion up to as much as 10 billion CFUs of each species ofLactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus casei,and/or Enterococcus faecium per dose of supplement.

In contrast to probiotics, prebiotics are the foods that feed theprobiotics. Examples of prebiotic that may be included, particularly inequine supplements, include fructooligosaccharides (FOS),xylooligosaccrarides (XOS), polydextrose, pectin and psyllium.Additional potential prebiotics include the following:

Larch arabinogalactin (LAG), resistant starch, beta-glucans,trans-galactooligosaccharide, inulin, oligofructose, gum arabic, chicoryroot, Jerusalem artichoke, dandelion greens, garlic, leek, onion,asparagus, wheat bran, wheat flour, and banana.

Prebiotics may include short-chain prebiotic with 2-8 links persaccharide molecule or longer-chain prebiotics with 9-64 links persaccharide molecule. Prebiotics may comprise any of the above incombination as in Oligofructose-Enriched Inulin (OEI).

Prebiotic food ingredients are generally not digested by horses or otheranimals. Instead, prebiotics are digested by desirable microorganismsand probiotics in the digestive system to increase or enhance thenumbers and/or activity of the desirable microorganisms and/orprobiotics. Thus, including both probiotics and prebiotics in thesupplement may assist in further treating or preventing GI-relatedconcerns, such as diarrhea, by facilitating the growth of the goodmicrobes and/or minimizing the invasion and growth of disease-causingbacteria. Probiotics and/or prebiotics may be particularly preferable insupplements employed in animals such as horses that are on antibioticsor experiencing stress, transport, abrupt dietary changes, and/orClostridium or Salmonella infections. Any of these may potentially alterthe normal microbe population in, for example, a horse's largeintestine.

If prebiotics are to be employed in the supplement, then the amount mayvary widely depending upon, among other items, the type of prebiotic,other ingredients, and desired results. Typically, an amount ofprebiotic is at least about 0.01, or at least about 0.1, or at leastabout 0.4 up to about 1, or up to about 2 grams per dose.

In addition to mastic gum, lecithin, probiotics and prebiotics, a widevariety of vitamins, minerals, or other nutritional supplements may beincluded in the described nutritional supplement. Such other ingredientsinclude, for example, B vitamins such as, for example, Vitamin B1(thiamine) A coenzyme in the catabolism of sugars and amino acids;Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) A precursor of cofactors called FAD and FMN,which are needed for flavoprotein enzyme reactions, including activationof other vitamins; Vitamin B3 (niacin or nicotinic acid) A precursor ofcoenzymes called NAD and NADP, which are needed in many metabolicprocesses; Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) A precursor of coenzyme A andtherefore needed to metabolize many molecules; Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine,pyridoxal, pyridoxamine) A coenzyme in many enzymatic reactions inmetabolism; Vitamin B7 (biotin) A coenzyme for carboxylase enzymes,needed for synthesis of fatty acids and in gluconeogenesis; Vitamin B8(inositol); Vitamin B9 (folic acid) A precursor needed to make, repair,and methylate DNA; a cofactor in various reactions; especially importantin aiding rapid cell division and growth, such as in infancy andpregnancy; Vitamin B12 (various cobalamins; commonly cyanocobalamin ormethylcobalamin in vitamin supplements) A coenzyme involved in themetabolism of every cell of the human body, especially affecting DNAsynthesis and regulation, but also fatty acid metabolism and amino acidmetabolism.

For certain embodiments, the ratio of total B-vitamins to mastic gum isfrom about 1:0.1 to about 1:4, or from about 1:0.3 to about 1:2, or fromabout 1:0.6 to about 1:1. B-vitamins may refer to all known B-vitaminsincluding: thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, nicotinic acid, pantothenicacid, pyridoxine, pyridoxal, pyridoxamine, biotin, folic acid, folinicacid, cyanocobalamin, methylcobalamin or other cobalamins, choline,adenine, or carnitine, adenosine monophosphate (AMP), inositol,para-aminobenzoic acid, pteryl-hepta-glutamic acid, orotic acid,dimethylglycine, L-carnitine, carnitine, and myo-inositol.

Other useful ingredients for the supplement may include DL methionine,Vitamin E, zinc, selenium, distillers dried grains with or withoutsolubles, magnesium mica, corn distillers dried grains, wheat middlings,alfalfa meal, dehydrated alfalfa, rice mill by product, rye flour, beetpulp, dicalcium phosphate, flaxseed meal, oat flour, oat oil, magnesiumstearate, cellulose, silicon dioxide, gelatin, maltodextrin, silica,fructose, inulin, inouline, soy protein isolate, rice bran, soybeanflour, coconut meal, marine lipid concentrates, kelp, kaolin, and/orpectin.

If desired, formulation aids and/or flavoring aids may be employed inthe supplement at useful amounts. Such ingredients include, for example,silicon dioxide, maltodextrin, vanilla flavor, and the like. Someembodiments may contain a pH buffer or alkalinizing agent. Alternativeembodiments may contain an additive for coating the interior of ananimal stomach. Still other embodiments may contain anti-fungaladditives.

Chart 1 below shows a potential embodiment as well as potential dosageranges for the disclosed supplement. Such a supplement would beparticularly preferable for horses at a dose of about once daily forpreventing gastrointestinal distress. If desired, the supplement couldbe administered in two or even three or more daily doses for treatmentpurposes depending upon the severity of the distress. In certaincircumstances administering a dose every other day, every third day, orweekly may be appropriate depending on the nature and severity of thedistress. Generally, each of the below ingredients with the exception ofmastic gum and lecithin are optional and thus need not be present ateven the low level described in Chart 1 below. That said, it is oftenpreferable to include at least the prebiotics and probiotics with themastic gum and lecithin.

CHART 1 Dose Amount Range Formulation Low High Mastic Gum 1.00 gm 0.02gm 4.00 gm DL Methionine 1.72 gm 0.05 gm 3.00 gm Inositol  368 mg  100mg  550 mg Niacin  135 mg   10 mg  250 mg Thiamine   42 mg   10 mg  150mg Riboflavin   38 mg   10 mg   75 mg Pyridoxine   20 mg   5 mg   30 mgBiotin   2 mg  0.2 mg   20 mg Vitamin B12  184 mcg   50 mcg  500 mcgVitamin E  123 mg   30 mg  250 mg Zinc   1% 0.03%   2% Selenium   40 ppm  10 ppm  100 ppm FOS - Prebiotics  0.5 gm 0.01 gm  2.0 gm Soy Lecithin28.7 gm  5.0 gm  200 gm (preferably up to 50 gm) Probiotics 3 billionCFU's 500 million CFU's 10 billion CFU's Lactobacillus acidophilus,Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus casei, Enterococcus faeciumSilicon Dioxide   1%  .05%   2% Maltodextrin  2.8%   1%   5%Example Study Using the Formulation in Chart 1 Above in Quarter Horses

Eight quarter horses, which were actively engaged in racing or racetraining, were examined. These horses were positively diagnosed withsignificant and differing levels of Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome(EGUS), gastric erosions or lesions in the stomach. The gastric ulcersor lesions were verified through endoscopies on all horses in theinitial phase of the study. Inclusion criteria were horses specificallyshowing significant gastric ulceration and between the ages of 2-6years. The significant gastric ulceration was confirmed by gastro scopeand clinical observation. All horses selected were quarter horses inheavy training, most were young horses in race training.

The horses were all stalled and no changes in management occurred in thestudy time frame to confuse or affect the results of the study (i.e.horses removed from training, turned out to pasture or diet changes).These horses were all fed free choice Bermuda hay with a 14% sweet feedor Strategy as a grain source three times per day at three pounds eachfeeding. Additional supplementation included powder form electrolytes.None of the horses received any drug therapy thirty (30) days prior tostart of the study or during the study.

Three horses were randomly selected to receive the supplement 3× per day(horse #5, #6 and #7). Five horses were randomly selected to receive thesupplement 2× per day (horse #1, #2, #3, #4 and #8). The supplementprovided was in a one (1) ounce dose as in Chart 1 above (reproducedbelow).

Supplement given 3× per day or 2× per day Mastic Gum 1.00 gm DLMethionine 1.72 gm Inositol  368 mg Niacin  135 mg Thiamine   42 mgRiboflavin   38 mg Pyridoxine   20 mg Biotin   2 mg Vitamin B12  184 mcgVitamin E  123 mg Zinc   1% Selenium   40 ppm FOS - Prebiotics  0.5 gmSoy Lecithin 28.7 gm Probiotics 3 billion CFU's Lactobacillusacidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus casei, Enterococcusfaecium Silicon Dioxide   1% Maltodextrin 2.8%

After ten days of product supplementation, urine samples were collectedfrom each horse and sent to an outside independent laboratory fortesting. After a minimum of thirty (30) days, all horses were examinedand endoscopies performed to evaluate product results.

All horses in the study showed good acceptance of the product, no sideeffects were reported and all horses tested negative for NSAIDS(non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), Fluphenazine, Fluoetine andReserpine. After thirty (30) days of supplementation, all horses, exceptone, showed significant improvement after the 2× or 3× dailysupplements. The one horse that did not show improvement (Horse #8) wasultimately removed from the study due to the severity of the initial andongoing ulcerations and need for comprehensive treatment. For theremaining seven horses, improvement was observed, positively verifiedand documented through endoscopies performed on all horses.

In less than 60 days on the product, Horse #7 had numerous Grade II andGrade III ulcers reduced to Grade I Ulcer and Hyperkeratosis. Horse #5was diagnosed with Grade I and Grade II ulcers on 70% of the stomachwall. In less than 60 days on the product, this condition improved toGrade I ulcers and diffuse hyperkeratosis. Horse #7 initially showednumerous Grade II and Grade III ulcers and in a time period of just30-60 days on the product, these ulcers were ultimately reduced to GradeI Ulcer and Hyperkeratosis. Horse #5 was initially diagnosed with GradeI and Grade II ulcers on 70% of the stomach wall. In only 30-60 days onthe product, this condition improved and ultimately reduced to Grade Iulcers and diffuse hyperkeratosis.

Table 1 below shows the detailed assessments of the individual horsesbased on the initial gastroscope (positively diagnosing the severeulceration) and the follow-up gastroscope documenting the results afterproduct supplementation for 30-60 days.

TABLE 1 HORSE DAY 1 DAY 30 - 60 #1 Blister formation Hyperkeratosis 4yr. old QH Hyperkeratosis Grade I ulcers stallion Multiple Grade Iulcers on greater curvature of the stomach #2 HyperkeratosisHyperkeratosis 6 yr old QH Grade II ulcers has improved gelding Grade IIulcers remain #3 Hyperkeratosis Hyperkeratosis 2 yr. old QH improvedgelding #4 Grade I ulcers Grade III 2 yr. old QH ulceration presentgelding #5 Grade I and Grade II ulcers Grade I ulcers, small 2 yr. oldQH on 70% of stomach wall in dameter filly Diffuse Hyperkeratosis #6Grade II and Grade III ulcers Grade II and 3 yr. old QH on lessercurvature of the Grade III ulcers on gelding stomach Greater margoplicatis curvature conctration Hyperkeratosis and margo plicatis ongreater curvature of the stomach #7 Grade II and Grade III ulcers on 1 -Grade I ulcer 2 yr. old QH greater curvature of the stomachHyperkeratosis gelding Multiple superficial erosions #8 Hyperkeratosison Marked 2 yr old QH lesser curvature Hyperkeratosis gelding Grade IIulcers on Grade I and Grade II 50% of greater ulcers on curvature of thestomach margo plicatis *horse #8 was ultimately removed from the studydue to the severity of initial and ongoing ulcerations. Placed undercare for comprehensive treatment.

The results of this study show the positive effects of utilizing thisproduct in horses with severe gastric ulcers or lesions.

Terms and Definitions Used in the Example Study Above

Ulceration/Lesion Grading Scale: 0 Normal Grade I Intact Mucosa withreddening or hyperkeratosis Grade II Mild ulceration—small single ormultifocal lesions, mild hyperkeratosis Grade III Moderateulceration—large single or extensive multifocal lesions Grade IV Severeulceration—extensive lesions with areas of deep ulcerationHyperkeratosis- term often used in connection with lesions of the mucousmembranes. Margo Plicatus- cuticular ridge that separates the squamousmucosa from the glandular mucosa, in the equine stomach. Recumbency-lying back or lying down, resting or leaning against something else.

Ulcer conditions should be understood to include various levels ofEquine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome, gastric erosions, lesions in the stomachor other area of the digestive system in horses and other species.

The terms, descriptions and examples used herein are set forth by way ofillustration only and are not meant as limitations. Those skilled in theart will recognize that many variations are possible within the spiritand scope of the invention as defined in the following claims, and theirequivalents, in which all terms are to be understood in their broadestpossible sense unless otherwise indicated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of preventing or treating gastrointestinal distress in an equine animal comprising: dosing the equine animal orally at least once daily with a supplement, said supplement comprising: mastic gum; and lecithin; wherein the supplement comprises from about 0.02 to about 4 grams mastic gum; and from about 5 to about 50 grams lecithin.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said animal is a horse.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the dosing comprises providing the supplement as a top dress at a regular feeding.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the equine animal is dosed with the supplement at least two times per day.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the lecithin comprises soy lecithin.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the supplement further comprises one or more B-vitamins, one or more minerals, or a combination thereof.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the weight ratio of the one or more B-vitamins to mastic gum is from about 1:0.1 to about 1:4 based on the total weight of B-vitamins and mastic gum.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the supplement is in the form of a pellet, powder, granule, liquid, or gel.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the supplement further comprises one or more prebiotics, one or more probiotics, or a combination thereof.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the supplement further comprises a pH buffer.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the supplement further comprises one or more B-vitamins, one or more minerals, one or more prebiotics, and one or more probiotics.
 12. A method of preventing or treating ulcer conditions in a horse comprising: dosing the horse with an effective amount of a supplement comprising mastic gum and lecithin wherein the weight ratio of mastic gum to lecithin is from about 1:10 to about 1:50 based on the total weight of mastic gum and lecithin.
 13. A method of preventing or treating ulcer conditions in a horse comprising: dosing the horse with an effective amount of a supplement, wherein the supplement is provided to the horse from one to three times daily and wherein the supplement comprises from about 0.5 to about 1.5 grams of mastic gum and from about 10 to about 40 grams of soy lecithin.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein the supplement further comprises from about 500 million to about 10 billion CFUs of one or more probiotics selected from the group consisting of Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus caseii, Lactobacillus plantarum, and mixtures thereof.
 15. The method of claim 13 wherein the supplement is provided to the horse in the form of top dressing for at least about 30 days.
 16. The method of claim 13, wherein the lecithin comprises soy lecithin.
 17. The method of claim 13, wherein the supplement is in the form of a powder.
 18. The method of claim 13, wherein the supplement further comprises one or more B-vitamins, one or more minerals, or a combination thereof.
 19. The method of claim 13, wherein the supplement further comprises one or more B-vitamins wherein the weight ratio of the one or more B-vitamins to mastic gum is from about 1:0.1 to about 1:4 based on the total weight of B-vitamins and mastic gum.
 20. The method of claim 13, wherein the supplement is provided to the horse from one to three times daily and wherein the supplement comprises from about 0.5 to about 1.5 grams of mastic gum, from about 10 to about 40 grams of soy lecithin, and one or more prebiotics or probiotics. 